"Our attitude all along has been that to make the top 10 is fabulous and we're happy for the honor. There are 1,200 community colleges in the country and to be in the top 10, we are very happy with that," Spokesman Michael Kelly said.

"To be in this company of the best of the best community colleges in the country is a great achievement and it will give us encouragement to improve and do even better in the future."

At an event in Washington today, the Washington D.C.-based Aspen Institute named Valencia College in Orlando, Florida as the top winner that will take home a $600,000 prize. Four other top finalists will receive portions of the leftover $400,000 from a $1 million prize pool.

During the luncheon, MCC was recognized for its workforce development program that helped students find jobs in one of the toughest economic environments in the country, Kelly said.